Page:The Girl Who Earns Her Own Living (1909).djvu/128

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up a career or promise any brilliant future. That depends entirely upon the girl herself. The position of governess in a family of wealth and influence, or as a companion to a rich invalid, or as secretary to a woman of affairs, will bring you in contact with men and women who can offer you better positions. If you have the true business instinct, it will develop, even if you are merely a companion or governess. You will meet successful people, and in that atmosphere you will learn how to carve success for yourself with tools vastly different from those which you picked up when you first took the position. At best the post of companion is merely a makeshift, and as one agent remarked, it is more apt to lead to the matrimonial market than to any commercial career.

Akin to the post of chaperon for young girls traveling abroad is that of chaperon in a private school. A few of the fashionable finishing schools located near large cities offer openings of this sort, and women of social standing, charming manners and good judgment are eligible applicants. The salary is just large enough to pay one's bills for gowns and hats, but board and lodging and laundry are included, while all incidental expenses, carfares, tickets, etc., are paid by the pupils chaperoned. The work of the chaperon includes escorting young girls to theaters, concerts, lectures and shopping trips